Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of manufacturing capacitors

ABSTRACT

Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of manufacturing capacitors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a capacitor over a workpiece. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a capacitor dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the capacitor dielectric. A portion of the bottom electrode and a portion of the top electrode are removed proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications, such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronic equipment, as examples. Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers, conductive layers, and semiconductive layers of material over a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layers using lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.

Capacitors are elements that are used extensively in semiconductor devices for storing an electrical charge. Capacitors essentially comprise two conductive plates separated by an insulating or dielectric material. Capacitors are used in applications such as electronic filters, analog-to-digital converters, memory devices, control applications, and many other types of semiconductor device applications.

Reactive ion etch (RIE) processes are used to form electrodes of capacitors in some manufacturing processes for semiconductor devices. These RIE processes cause erosion of and damage to dielectric layers of capacitors, particularly at the dielectric layer edges, which can significantly deteriorate the reliability of capacitors.

Improved methods of manufacturing capacitors of semiconductor devices are needed in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1D show cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a planar capacitor of a semiconductor device at various stages of manufacturing in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 1F is a top view illustrating an advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D;

FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate cross-sectional views of a planar capacitor manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with another embodiment;

FIGS. 3A through 3D are cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a trench capacitor of a semiconductor device at various stages of manufacturing in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view illustrating an advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D;

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate cross-sectional views of a trench capacitor manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view illustrating an advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C;

FIGS. 5A through 5C show cross-sectional views of a trench capacitor manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with yet another embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of another type of trench capacitor at various stages in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show cross-sectional views of yet another embodiment, wherein a planar capacitor comprises a ladder shape; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of method of manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to manufacturing processes for semiconductor devices, and more particularly to the formation of capacitors of semiconductor devices. Novel semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of manufacturing capacitors will be described herein.

FIGS. 1A through 1D show cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a planar capacitor 120 of a semiconductor device 100 at various stages of manufacturing in accordance with an embodiment. Referring first to FIG. 1A, a workpiece 102 is provided. The workpiece 102 may include a semiconductor substrate comprising silicon or other semiconductor materials. The workpiece 102 may be covered by an insulating layer (not shown in FIG. 1A; see insulating layer 132 in FIG. 3A), for example. The workpiece 102 may also include other active components or circuits, not shown. The workpiece 102 may comprise silicon oxide over single-crystal silicon, for example. The workpiece 102 may include other conductive layers or other semiconductor elements, e.g., transistors, diodes, etc. Compound semiconductors, GaAs, InP, Si/Ge, or SiC, as examples, may be used in place of silicon. The workpiece 102 may comprise a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) or a germanium-on-insulator (GOI) substrate, as examples.

A bottom electrode 104 material is formed over the workpiece 102, as shown in FIG. 1A. The bottom electrode 104 material lines a top surface of the workpiece 102. The bottom electrode 104 material comprises a layer of conductive material, such as titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum nitride (TaN), tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WN), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), and platinum (Pt), other conductive materials, or combinations or multiple layers thereof. The bottom electrode 104 material comprises a low-resistivity material in some embodiments, for example. The bottom electrode 104 material may be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), sputtering, or other processes. The bottom electrode 104 material may comprise a thickness of about 500 Angstroms or less in some embodiments. The bottom electrode 104 material may comprise a thickness of about 50 to 450 Angstroms in other embodiments. Alternatively, the bottom electrode 104 material may comprise other materials and dimensions, and may be formed using other methods.

A capacitor dielectric 106 material is formed over the workpiece 102, also shown in FIG. 1A. The capacitor dielectric 106 material lines the top surface of the bottom electrode 104 material. The capacitor dielectric 106 material may comprise a high dielectric constant (K) dielectric film, such as ZrO₂, HFO₂, Ta₂O₅, Al₂O₃, (BaSr)TiO₃ (BST), (Pb,Zr)TiO₃ (PZT), other multi-layer high-K dielectric materials, an oxide, a nitride, or the like, or combinations or multiple layers thereof, as examples. The capacitor dielectric 106 material may be formed by CVD techniques and may comprise a thickness of about 500 Angstroms or less. In some embodiments, the capacitor dielectric 106 material comprises a thickness of about 10 to 400 Angstroms. Alternatively, the capacitor dielectric 106 material may comprise other materials and dimensions, and may be formed using other methods.

Next, a top electrode 108 material is formed over the capacitor dielectric 106 material, as shown in FIG. 1A. The top electrode 108 material may comprise similar materials and may be formed using similar deposition methods as described for the bottom electrode 104 material. In some embodiments, the top electrode 108 material may comprise about the same thickness as the thickness of the bottom electrode 104 material, for example. Alternatively, the top electrode 108 material may comprise a greater thickness than the thickness of the bottom electrode 104 material, and the top electrode 108 material may comprise a different material than the bottom electrode 104 material. The top electrode 108 material may comprise a thickness of about 50 to 5,000 Angstroms in some embodiments, although alternatively, the top electrode 108 material may comprise other materials and dimensions, and may be formed using other methods.

The top electrode 108 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode material 104 are patterned by depositing a layer of photoresist 110 over the top surface of the top electrode 108 material, as shown in FIG. 1A. The layer of photoresist 110 is then patterned using lithography. The layer of photoresist 110 may be exposed using light or energy through or reflected from a lithography mask (not shown) having a pattern thereon, for example. The layer of photoresist 110 is developed, and portions of the layer of photoresist 110 are ashed and/or etched away, leaving the patterned layer of photoresist 110 disposed over the top electrode 108 material, as shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the layer of photoresist 110 may be directly patterned.

The patterned layer of photoresist 110 is used as an etch mask while portions of the top electrode 108 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104 material are etched away. An etch process 112 is used to etch away exposed portions of the top electrode 108 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104 material, leaving a top electrode 108, capacitor dielectric 106, and bottom electrode 104 that form a capacitor 120 that is planar disposed over the workpiece 102, as shown in FIG. 1C. The etch process 112 is also referred to herein as a first etch process. The etch process 112 may comprise a plasma etch process and may comprise a RIE process in some embodiments, for example. The etch process 112 may comprise a dry etch process in which the workpiece 102 is immersed in a plasma-containing etching species, wherein a chemical etching reaction takes place in multiple directions (i.e., isotropic etching). The etch process 112 may comprise an etch process performed in a gas phase, using a chemical etch process, ion milling, or a combination thereof, as examples. Alternatively, the etch process 112 may comprise other types of etch processes.

Only one capacitor 120 is shown in FIG. 1C; however, a plurality of capacitors 120 may be formed across a top surface of the workpiece 102. The number of capacitors 120 formed varies depending on the application of the semiconductor device 100. The capacitors 120 may have a round, oval, square, or rectangular shape in a top view of the workpiece 102, as examples. Alternatively, the capacitors 120 may comprise other shapes.

In accordance embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the bottom electrode 104 and a portion of the top electrode 108 are removed proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 using a second etch process 114, as shown in FIG. 1C, leaving a capacitor 120 shown in FIG. 1D wherein the top electrode 108 and the bottom electrode 104 have recessed edges. A portion of the capacitor dielectric 106 protrudes from edges of the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108. The second etch process 114 laterally etches away portions of the top electrode 108 and the bottom electrode 104 by a predetermined distance d₁ away from the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106. The portion of the bottom electrode 104 the portion of the top electrode 108 that are etched away and removed are illustrated by recesses 116 in the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108 in FIG. 1D.

The second etch process 114 comprises an etch process that is isotropic and highly selective to the material of the capacitor dielectric 106, so that substantially no amount of or a small amount of the capacitor dielectric 106 is removed during the etch process 114. The etch process 114 may comprise a gas etch process or a liquid etch process, as examples. The etch process 114 may comprise applying a dilute aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, i.e., a diluted ammonia and peroxide mixture (DAPM), in some embodiments, as examples. The etch process 114 may comprise an erosion chemical suitable for etching the specific type of bottom electrode 104 and top electrode 108 material, for example. The etch process 114 simultaneously removes a portion of sidewalls of the top electrode 108 and a portion of sidewalls of the bottom electrode 104, for example. The etch process 114 pulls back the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108 away from the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 by a dimension d₁ comprising about 5 to 300 Angstroms in some embodiments. Alternatively, other types of etch processes may be used to recess the top electrode 108 and the bottom electrode 104, and dimension d₁ may comprise other values.

In some embodiments, the bottom electrode 104 comprises a first thickness, and the top electrode 108 comprises a second thickness. Removing a portion of the bottom electrode 104 and a portion of the top electrode 108 using the second etch process 114 may comprise removing substantially the entire first thickness of the bottom electrode 104 and substantially the entire second thickness of the top electrode 108 proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 by a predetermined distance comprising dimension d₁, in these embodiments.

The second etch process 114 may also remove a portion of the top surface of the top electrode 108, not shown. The thickness of the top electrode 108 material may be increased to accommodate for the anticipated top surface material removal, for example. Alternatively, the layer of photoresist 110 may be left remaining after patterning the top electrode 108 material, capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104 material in order to protect the top surface of the top electrode 108 during the second etch process 114, for example, not shown in the drawings.

The first etch process 112 may damage the sidewalls and/or edges of the capacitor dielectric 106, particularly if the first etch process 112 comprises a RIE process. The second etch process 114 advantageously pulls back the sidewalls of the electrodes 104 and 108 away from the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 so that performance of the capacitor 120 is not deleteriously affected by the damage to the capacitor dielectric 106 sidewalls. Furthermore, a process window for isolation between the capacitor 120 and a conductive feature 122 is enhanced by recessing the electrodes 104 and 108 away from edges of the capacitor dielectric 106, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 1E and as shown in a top view in FIG. 1F. The conductive feature 122 may comprise a conductive line, a conductive via, or a contact formed over the workpiece 102 that is electrically connected to one of the capacitor electrodes 104 or 108 (i.e., coupled to the top electrode 108 as shown in FIG. 1E). The conductive feature 122 may be coupled to the top electrode 108 (or to the bottom electrode 104, not shown) by wiring 123 in the same material layer the top electrode 108 is formed in, or in a material layer disposed over the top electrode 108, as examples. The conductive feature 122 provides electrical contact to the top electrode 108.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D, a planar capacitor 120 with recessed electrodes 104 and 108 comprises electrodes 104 and 108 that comprise one layer of a conductive material such as TiN, TaN, W, WN, Ru, Ir, Pt, other conductive materials, or combinations and multiple layers thereof. In other embodiments, the electrodes 104 and 108 may comprise multiple material layers that include other types of materials. As an example, FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate cross-sectional views of a planar capacitor 120 manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with another embodiment. Like numerals are used for the various elements that were used to describe the previous figures, and to avoid repetition, each element number is not described again herein.

First, a bottom electrode 104/124 material is formed over the workpiece 102, as shown in FIG. 1A. The bottom electrode 104/124 material comprises a first layer 104 that is adjacent the capacitor dielectric 106 material and a second layer 124 that is adjacent the first layer 104. To form the bottom electrode 104/124 material, the second layer 124 is formed over the workpiece 102. The second layer 124 may comprise copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), W, Ru, WN, Ir, Pt, other conductive materials, or combinations and multiple layers thereof, deposited by similar methods and comprising similar dimensions as were described for the bottom electrode 104 material in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D. The second layer 124 material comprises a low-resistivity material in some embodiments, for example. The second layer 124 comprises a different material than the first layer 104. The first layer 104 comprises a material with an etch selectivity to the second layer 124. The first layer 104 is formed over the second layer 124. The first layer 104 comprises similar materials, dimensions, and formation methods as were described for the bottom electrode 104 material in FIGS. 1A through 1D. Alternatively, the first layer 104 and second layer 124 of the bottom electrode 104/124 material may comprise other materials and dimensions, and may be formed using other methods.

In some embodiments, the first layer 104 may also function as a liner material or a barrier layer for the second layer 124. The first layer 104 may protect the capacitor dielectric 106 material from contamination or diffusion of the second layer 124 material into the capacitor dielectric 106 material, in some embodiments.

The capacitor dielectric 106 material is formed over the bottom electrode 104/124 material, e.g., over the first layer 104, as shown in FIG. 2A. A top electrode 108/128 material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric 106 material. The top electrode 108/128 also comprises a first layer 108 adjacent the capacitor dielectric 106 and a second layer 128 adjacent the first layer 108 in the embodiment shown. The first layer 108 is formed over the capacitor dielectric 106 material. The first layer 108 comprises similar materials, dimensions, and formation methods as were described for the top electrode 108 material in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D. The second layer 128 is formed over the first layer 108. The second layer 128 of the top electrode 108/128 comprises similar materials, dimensions, and formations methods as were described for the second layer 124 of the bottom electrode 104/124. The second layer 128 comprises a different material than the first layer 108. Alternatively, the first layer 108 and the second layer 128 of the top electrode 108/128 material may comprise other materials and dimensions, and may be formed using other methods.

A layer of photoresist 110 is formed over the second layer 128 of the top electrode 108/128, also shown in FIG. 2A. The layer of photoresist 110 is patterned and used as an etch mask during the first etch process 112, as shown in FIG. 2B. The resulting capacitor 120 is shown in FIG. 2C, which comprises a top electrode 108/128, a capacitor dielectric 106, and a bottom electrode 104/124. The capacitor 120 is planar over the workpiece 102 and includes multi-layer electrodes 104/124 and 108/128.

The second etch process 114 is performed, as shown in FIG. 2C, resulting in the structure shown in FIG. 2D. The first layers 104 and 108 of the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128, respectively, are recessed during the second etch process 114 by an amount comprising dimension d₁. The first layers 104 and 108 include recesses 116 formed therein proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106. However, the second layers 124 and 128 of the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128, respectively, are not recessed during the second etch process 114, as shown. The second etch process 114 may comprise an etchant substance that is adapted to etch the first layers 104 and 108 but not substantially etch the second layers 124 and 128, the dielectric material 106, or the workpiece 102, for example. The second layers 124 and 128 of the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128 comprise a width that is substantially the same as a width of the capacitor dielectric 106 after the second etch process 114.

Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D, a portion of the bottom electrode 104/124 proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 is laterally etched away that comprises the first layer 104 of the bottom electrode 104/124. The portion of the bottom electrode 104/124 that is etched away and removed is illustrated by recesses 116 in the first layer 104 in FIG. 2D. Likewise, a portion of the top electrode 108/128 proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 is etched away that comprises the first layer 108 of the top electrode 108/128. The portion of the top electrode 108/128 that is etched away and removed is illustrated by recesses 116 in the first layer 108 in FIG. 2D.

In FIGS. 2A through 2D, both the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128 of the capacitor 120 comprise multiple layers comprising the first layer 104 and second layer 124, and the first layer 108 and second layer 128, respectively. Alternatively, the bottom electrode may comprise a single layer bottom electrode 104 as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D, and the top electrode may comprise a multiple layer top electrode 108/128 shown in FIG. 2A through 2D. Likewise, the top electrode may comprise a single layer top electrode 108 as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D, and the bottom electrode may comprise a multiple layer bottom electrode 104/124 shown in FIG. 2A through 2D.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D and FIGS. 2A through 2D show implementations of the present disclosure used to manufacture planar capacitors 120. The planar capacitors 120 comprise capacitor material stacks disposed over a flat surface of the workpiece 102. Edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 of the capacitors 120 are disposed at sidewalls of the capacitor dielectric 106 in these embodiments. Advantageously, only one lithography mask and one lithography process is needed to form the planar capacitors 120; i.e., the lithography mask and process used to pattern the capacitor material stack comprising the top electrode 108 or 108/128 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom dielectric 104 or 104/124 material.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in capacitors formed in trenches of the workpiece 102. FIGS. 3A through 3D, FIGS. 4A through 4C, and FIGS. 5A through 5C show embodiments of capacitors 120 formed using damascene methods wherein a portion of the top electrodes and bottom electrodes are recessed in a vertical direction proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric 106. Again, like numerals are used for the various elements as were used to describe the previous figures, and to avoid repetition, each element number is not described again herein.

Referring next to FIGS. 3A through 3D, cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a trench capacitor 120 of a semiconductor device 100 at various stages of manufacturing in accordance with an embodiment are shown. In FIG. 3A, a workpiece 102 is shown that includes a substrate 130 comprising a semiconductive material. The workpiece 102 may also include an optional insulating material layer 132 disposed over the substrate 130. The insulating material layer 132 may comprise an oxide, a nitride, or combinations or multiple layers thereof, as examples. A trench 134 is formed in the workpiece 102 using lithography, e.g., by depositing a layer of photoresist (not shown) over the workpiece 102, patterning the photoresist, and using the photoresist as an etch mask while top portions of the workpiece 102 are etched away, leaving the trench 134 shown in FIG. 3A. Alternatively, the trench 134 may be formed using other methods.

The trench 134 may be formed within the insulating material layer 132 disposed over the substrate 130. The trench 134 may extend completely through the insulating material layer 132, as shown. Alternatively, the trench 134 may extend partially through the insulating material layer 132, or the trench 134 may extend completely through the insulating material layer 132 and partially through the substrate 130, not shown in the drawings.

The trench 134 may have a width comprising a dimension d₂ of about 0.1 μm or less, for example. The trench 134 may have a depth comprising dimension d₃ extending vertically into the workpiece 102 of about 1 μm or less, for example. Alternatively, dimensions d₂ and d₃ may comprise other values. The trench 134 may comprise a round, oval, square, rectangular, or other shape in a top view of the workpiece 102. Only one trench 134 is shown in FIG. 3A; however, a plurality of trenches 134 may be formed across a top surface of the workpiece 102. The number of trenches 134 formed varies depending on the application of the semiconductor device 100 and number of capacitors to be formed.

A cross-section of the trench 134 may comprise a variety of shapes, depending on many factors, such as the crystalline structure of the workpiece 102 and/or the chemistries, temperature, or duration of the etch process used to form the trench 134, as examples. The trench 134 comprises sidewalls that are substantially straight in a vertical direction within the workpiece 102 in the embodiments shown herein. The trench 134 may be formed using a substantially isotropic etch process in some embodiments to form substantially vertical sidewalls, although alternatively, the trench 134 may be formed using other methods. The trench 134 may alternatively be slightly bowed (not shown), having a smaller width proximate the opening of the trench 134 in the top surface of the workpiece 102 than a width at a lower region of the trench 134. The trench 134 may alternatively be bottle-shaped, as another example, also not shown.

After forming the trench 134 in the workpiece 102, the bottom electrode 104 material is formed over the workpiece 102, a shown in FIG. 3B. The bottom electrode 104 material lines the top surfaces of the workpiece 102 and the sidewalls and the bottom surface of the trench 134. The capacitor dielectric 106 material is formed over the workpiece 102 over the bottom electrode 104 material. The capacitor dielectric 106 lines the bottom electrode 104 material on the top surface of the workpiece 102 and on the sidewalls and bottom surface of the trench 134. A top electrode 108 material is formed over the capacitor dielectric 106 material, also shown in FIG. 3B. The top electrode 108 material substantially fills an inner region of the trench 134, as shown. The materials, dimensions, and formation methods for the bottom electrode 104 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the top electrode 108 material may be the same as described for the previous embodiments herein.

A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process 136, an etch-back process, or a combination thereof, as examples, are used to remove the excess top electrode 108 material, capacitor dielectric 106 material, and bottom electrode 104 material from over the top surface of the workpiece 102, as shown in FIG. 3B, leaving a capacitor 120 formed within the trench 134, as shown in FIG. 3C. The first etch process 112 is not included in the manufacturing method for this embodiment; rather, the top electrode 108 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104 material are patterned using the CMP process 136 and/or etch process. The bottom electrode 104 lines the sidewalls and bottom surface of the trench 134. The capacitor dielectric 106 lines the bottom electrode 104, and the top electrode 108 fills in the remainder of the trench 134.

In accordance embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of the bottom electrode 104 and a portion of the top electrode 108 are removed proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 using the second etch process 114 described for the previous embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, leaving a capacitor 120 shown in FIG. 3D wherein the top electrode 108 and bottom electrode 104 have recessed edges. A portion of the capacitor dielectric 106 protrudes from edges of the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108. The second etch process 114 vertically etches away portions of the top electrode 108 and the bottom electrode 104 by a predetermined distance comprising dimension d₁ away from the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106. The edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 comprise the exposed top surfaces of the capacitor dielectric 106, which are substantially coplanar with the top surface of the workpiece 102. The portion of the bottom electrode 104 and the portion of the top electrode 108 that are etched away and removed are illustrated by recesses 116 in the top surfaces of the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108 in FIG. 3D.

FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device 100 illustrating an advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D. In a subsequent manufacturing step, a conductive feature comprising a contact or via 140 may be formed over the top electrode 108, and a conductive feature comprising a conductive line 142 may be formed over the contact or via 140, e.g., in subsequently-formed metallization or conductive material layers. Advantageously, the recessed top electrode 108 material provides an enhanced isolation process window between the capacitor 120 and the contact or via 140.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D, the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108 comprise one layer of a conductive material such as TiN, TaN, W, WN, Ru, Ir, Pt, other conductive materials, or combinations and multiple layers thereof. The bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108 material comprise low-resistivity materials in some embodiments, for example. In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C and 5A through 5C, electrodes of the capacitors 120 may comprise multiple material layers that include other types of materials, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D.

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate cross-sectional views of a trench capacitor 120 manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with another embodiment, wherein the top electrode 108/128 material includes a first layer 108 and a second layer 128. The first layer 108 is formed over and lines the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the second layer 128 is formed over the first layer 108, filling the trench 134. A CMP process 136 and/or an etch process is used to remove the top electrode 108/128 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104 material from over the top surface of the workpiece 102, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The etch process 114 is then used to recess portions of the bottom electrode 104 and the top electrode 108/128 by an amount comprising dimension d₁, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. The entire thickness of the top surface of the bottom electrode 104 is recessed, and only the top surface of the first layer 108 of the top electrode 108/128 is recessed vertically.

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device 100 illustrating an advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C. In a subsequent manufacturing step, a contact or via 140 may be formed over the top electrode 108, and a conductive line 142 may be formed over the contact or via 140, e.g., in subsequently-formed metallization or conductive material layers. Advantageously, the recessed top electrode 108 material provides an enhanced isolation process window between the capacitor 120 and the contact or via 140.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate cross-sectional views of a trench capacitor 120 manufacturing method at various stages in accordance with yet another embodiment. Both the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128 include a first layer 104 and 108 and a second layer 124 and 128, respectively, in this embodiment. Excess portions of the top electrode 108/128 material, the capacitor dielectric 106 material, and the bottom electrode 104/124 material are removed from over the top surface of the workpiece 102 using the CMP process 136 and/or etch process, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The etch process 114 is then used to recess portions (e.g., the first layers 104 and 108) of the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. The first layers 104 and 108 of the bottom electrode 104/124 and the top electrode 108/128 are removed proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106, as shown in FIG. 5C. The edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 of the capacitor 120 are disposed at top surfaces of the capacitor dielectric 106 in these embodiments.

Alternatively, the trench capacitor 120 formed using a damascene process may include a two layer bottom electrode 104/124 shown in FIG. 5C and a single layer top electrode 108 shown in FIG. 3D in accordance with another embodiment, not shown in the drawings. The bottom electrode 104 and 104/124 and the top electrode 108 and 108/128 may alternatively comprise three or more conductive material layers, with at least the conductive material layers adjacent the capacitor dielectric 106 being pulled-back, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Advantageously, only one lithography mask and one lithography process is needed to form the trench capacitors 120 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D, 5A through 5C, and 6A through 6C; i.e., the lithography mask and process used to pattern the workpiece 102 to form the trenches 134. If the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 are damaged during the CMP process 136 and/or etch process, at least a portion comprising the first layer 104 and 108 of the bottom electrode 104 or 104/124 and the top electrode 108 and 108/128 is recessed away from the damaged top surfaces of the capacitor dielectric 106, preventing or reducing deleterious effects on the capacitor 120 performance.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the present disclosure wherein a capacitor 120 is formed that comprises a combination of a planar capacitor and a trench capacitor. The manufacturing methods previously described herein are used to form the capacitor 120. The process described with respect to FIGS. 3A to 3B is first performed, but a CMP process 136 is not included. Rather, the process described with respect to FIGS. 1B to 1D is then performed. Two lithography masks are used in this embodiment; one to form the trench and another to pattern the capacitor material stack 104/106/108 disposed over the workpiece 102. Regions 144 comprise areas where the capacitor plates are planar, and region 146 comprises an area where the capacitor plates are formed in the trench. Edges of the top electrode 108 and the bottom electrode 106 material proximate the capacitor dielectric 106 edges (e.g., proximate the sidewalls of the capacitor dielectric 106) are recessed by dimension d₁ using the etch process 114, as described for FIG. 1D, as shown in FIG. 6B. A contact or via 140 and conductive line 142 may then be coupled to the top electrode 108 in subsequently formed conductive material layers of the semiconductor device 100.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the present disclosure wherein a capacitor 120 is formed that comprises a planar capacitor having a ladder shape. First, the manufacturing process shown and described with reference to FIG. 1A is performed. The first etch process 112 shown in FIG. 1B in this embodiment comprises a plasma etch process that is adapted to etch away more of the top electrode 108 material than the bottom electrode 104 material. Sidewalls 148 of the capacitor material stack 104/106/108 comprise a tapered or ladder shape after the first etch process 112, as shown in FIG. 7A. The second etch process 114 is then performed, recessing sidewalls of the top electrode material 108 and the bottom electrode material 104 proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric 106 (e.g., proximate the sidewalls of the capacitor dielectric 106). The capacitor 120 comprises a tapered metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in this embodiment, for example.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart 150 showing an example of method of manufacturing a capacitor 120 of a semiconductor device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 152, a workpiece 102 is provided. In step 154, a bottom electrode 104 is formed over a workpiece 102. A capacitor dielectric 106 is formed over the bottom electrode 104 in step 156. In step 158, a top electrode 108 is formed over the capacitor dielectric 106. In step 160, a portion of the bottom dielectric 104 and a portion of the top electrode 108 are etched away proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric 106.

After the manufacturing processes shown in FIGS. 1D, 2D, 3D, 4C, 5C, 6A, and 7B, the manufacturing process for the semiconductor device 100 is then continued. For example, other devices may be formed within and/or over the workpiece 102, e.g., over the capacitors 120 or laterally with respect to the capacitors 120 in some embodiments. One or more insulating and/or conductive material layers may be formed over the capacitors 120 and the workpiece 102. Contacts and/or vias may be formed within one or more insulating material layers disposed over the capacitors 120 to make electrical contact to the bottom electrode 104 and/or top electrode 108, such as the conductive feature 122 shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F or the conductive features 140 and 142 shown in FIGS. 3E, 4D, and 6B, as examples.

The capacitors 120 may be implemented in memory devices, storage devices, soft error rate (SER) protection or robustness circuits, logic circuits, analog circuits, filters, analog-to-digital converters, control circuits, voltage regulators, delay circuits, storage enhancement circuits, or support circuits, as examples. In some embodiments, the capacitors 120 may be utilized in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells, for example. Alternatively, the capacitors 120 described herein may be used in other applications.

Advantages of embodiments of the disclosure include providing novel design methods, manufacturing processes, and structures for capacitors 120 of semiconductor devices 100. The novel pull-back methods of the electrodes 104, 104/124, 108 and 108/128 described herein may be implemented in planar capacitors 120, trench capacitors 120, or combinations thereof formed using damascene methods and/or subtractive etch methods. Only one lithography mask is required to manufacture the capacitors 120 in some embodiments, reducing manufacturing costs and time. The capacitors 120 have improved reliability due to the recessed portions (e.g., recesses 116) of the bottom electrodes 104 and 104/124 and top electrodes 108 and 108/128. Portions of the bottom electrodes 104 and 104/124 and top electrodes 108 and 108/128 are recessed away from possibly damaged edges of the capacitor dielectric 106, avoiding negative effects from the damaged capacitor dielectric 106 on the capacitor 120 performance. The novel manufacturing processes and capacitor 120 structures described herein advantageously may easily be implemented in existing manufacturing process flows.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a capacitor over a workpiece. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a capacitor dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the capacitor dielectric. The method includes removing a portion of the bottom electrode and a portion of the top electrode proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes providing a workpiece, forming a bottom electrode over the workpiece, and forming a capacitor dielectric having edges over the bottom electrode. A top electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric. A portion of the bottom electrode and a portion of the top electrode are etched away proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece and a capacitor disposed over the workpiece. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a capacitor dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the capacitor dielectric. A portion of the capacitor dielectric protrudes from edges of the bottom electrode and the top electrode.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many of the features, functions, processes, and materials described herein may be varied while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising: forming a capacitor over a workpiece, the capacitor comprising a bottom electrode, a capacitor dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the capacitor dielectric; and simultaneously removing a portion of the bottom electrode and a portion of the top electrode proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the portion of the bottom electrode and the portion of the top electrode proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric comprises pulling back the bottom electrode and the top electrode away from the edges of the capacitor dielectric by about 5 to 300 Angstroms.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the portion of the bottom electrode and the portion of the top electrode comprises applying a dilute aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide or a diluted ammonia and peroxide mixture (DAPM).
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the capacitor comprises forming a capacitor wherein the bottom electrode or the top electrode comprises a first layer adjacent the capacitor dielectric and a second layer adjacent the first layer, and wherein removing the portion of the bottom electrode or the portion of the top electrode comprises removing a portion of the first layer, but not a portion of the second layer.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the capacitor comprises forming a trench in the workpiece, forming the bottom electrode over the trench in the workpiece, forming the capacitor dielectric over the bottom electrode in the trench, and forming the top electrode over the capacitor dielectric in the trench.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom electrode comprises a first thickness, wherein the top electrode comprises a second thickness, and wherein removing the portion of the bottom electrode and the portion of the top electrode comprises removing substantially the entire first thickness of the bottom electrode and substantially the entire second thickness of the top electrode proximate the edges of the capacitor dielectric by a predetermined distance.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein simultaneously removing the portion of the bottom electrode and the portion of the top electrode proximate edges of the capacitor dielectric comprises a gas etch process or a liquid etch process.
 8. A method of manufacturing a capacitor, the method comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a bottom electrode over the workpiece; forming a capacitor dielectric over the bottom electrode, the capacitor dielectric comprising a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge; forming a top electrode over the capacitor dielectric; etching away a portion of the bottom electrode proximate the first edge and the second edge of the capacitor dielectric; and etching away a portion of the top electrode proximate the first edge and the second edge of the capacitor dielectric.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein etching away the portion of the bottom electrode and etching away the portion of the top electrode comprises using an isotropic etch process.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein forming the bottom electrode or forming the top electrode comprises forming a first layer adjacent the capacitor dielectric and forming a second layer adjacent the first layer, and wherein etching away the portion of the bottom electrode or the portion of the top electrode comprises removing a portion of the first layer, but not a portion of the second layer.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein forming the first layer comprises forming a material selected from the group consisting essentially of TiN, TaN, W, WN, Ru, Ir, Pt, and combinations thereof.
 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein forming the second layer comprises forming a material selected from the group consisting essentially of Cu, Ti, Ta, W, Ru, WN, Ir, Pt, and combinations thereof.
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein forming the bottom electrode, forming the capacitor dielectric, and forming the top electrode comprise: forming a bottom electrode material over a top surface of the workpiece; forming a capacitor dielectric material over the bottom electrode material; forming a top electrode material over the capacitor dielectric material; forming a photoresist over the top electrode material; patterning the photoresist; using the photoresist as an etch mask while portions of the top electrode material, the capacitor dielectric material, and the bottom electrode material are etched away; and removing the photoresist.
 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein forming the bottom electrode, forming the capacitor dielectric, and forming the top electrode comprise: forming a trench in the workpiece; forming a bottom electrode material over a top surface of the workpiece and over the trench in the workpiece; forming a capacitor dielectric material over the bottom electrode material; forming a top electrode material over the capacitor dielectric material; and using a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process, an etch process, or a combination thereof to remove the top electrode material, the capacitor dielectric material, and the bottom electrode material from the top surface of the workpiece, leaving the top electrode, the capacitor dielectric, and the bottom electrode remaining within the trench.
 15. A semiconductor device, comprising: a workpiece; and a capacitor disposed over the workpiece, the capacitor including a bottom electrode comprising a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a capacitor dielectric disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the capacitor dielectric, wherein the top electrode comprises a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and wherein a portion of the capacitor dielectric protrudes from the first edge and the second edge of each of the bottom electrode and the top electrode.
 16. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the capacitor comprises a planar capacitor disposed over a top surface of the workpiece, a trench capacitor disposed within a trench in the workpiece, a combination of a planar capacitor and a trench capacitor, or a tapered metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor having a ladder shape.
 17. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein an edge of the capacitor dielectric is disposed at a top surface or a sidewall of the capacitor dielectric.
 18. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, further comprising a conductive feature coupled to the top electrode or the bottom electrode.
 19. The semiconductor device according to claim 18, wherein the conductive feature comprises a conductive line, a conductive via, or a contact. 